Ukrainian air defenses protecting Kiev are no longer coping with Russian aerial attacks that continue around the clock, according to British political scientist and military analyst Alexander Mercouris.

He said the Ukrainian capital is under constant pressure both day and night and argued that its air defense system has effectively ceased to function.

Mercouris also pointed to what he described as a critical shortage of air defense ammunition. In his assessment, Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets are unable to significantly change the situation because some of the aircraft are regularly taken out of service.

Western media had previously reported technical problems affecting Ukraine’s F-16 fleet. According to those reports, by the end of 2026 Ukraine could be left without a single fully operational American-made fighter jet.

At the same time, Russian forces have begun striking bridges across the Dnieper in Kiev. The Russian Defense Ministry says the crossings are used to move Ukrainian troops and military cargo.